It wasn't dreary, it certainly wasn't cold and the stadium's rugby league warriors hadn't yet churned up the pitch into a mire.

Luiz Felipe Scolari would be hard-pressed to choose a more suitable time to lead his Chelsea team up to Wigan as he did on Sunday.

Based upon this performance they will have to perform much, much better if they are to take any more points from the north west.

Wigan's manager Steve Bruce who was in particularly fine form after the match summed it up perfectly when he noted that

"Chelsea had a bad day but a piece of brilliance from Deco saved them. But, that's why they are at the highest level.

"If it hadn't been him then there were plenty of others who could do the same."

Indeed, the highlight of the game and Chelsea's only significant attempt on goal was a free-kick of beauty from Deco just over three

minutes into the game. He spotted Wigan's replacement goalkeeper Mike Pollet misplace himself on the line and redirected his kick at the last moment into the top-corner of the net. What a signing he appears to be.

Scolari insists he doesn't care who scores the goals. "If Frank Lampard and Deco both get 10, 15, 20 or 25 goals each it doesn't matter as it's the team's results which matters," he said. "Chelsea is more important than any member of the team, including me!"

He did concede that Deco was indeed a special talent. 'He is a very intelligent player," Scolari said.

"Goalkeepers find him difficult - he's often more clever than them."

Scolari is learning himself. He does understand the challenge represented in the north-west. "it's my first time in the north and I know I must come here to play Bolton, Manchester United and Manchester City. I understand the challenges now."

He was though, understandably delighted with the win. "It doesn't mean much to be top after just two games but, it's good for us to have six points."

It could be said that on paper, Chelsea have relatively easy fixtures in this early part of the season but, Scolari also understands that this is a tough league.

"In England, you always say that the first team playing against the last is not easy".

It may have been tough yesterday in a balmy afteroon in Wigan but Scolari and his team will face much sterner (and colder) tests as this season progresses.